Overview
C-SPAN StudentCam is an annual national video documentary competition for students in grades 6 through 12. Founded in 2004, it has awarded over $1.7 million in prizes across 22 annual competitions. The 2026 competition drew nearly 4,000 students submitting over 1,800 entries from 38 states and Washington, D.C. The competition is funded by the C-SPAN Education Foundation and charges no entry fee.
Each year, C-SPAN announces a specific theme tied to government, public policy, or national significance. The 2026 theme was "America's 250th Anniversary: Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence." Students create 5-to-6-minute documentaries that examine either a historical moment shaped by the Declaration of Independence or a contemporary issue connected to its values. The 2027 theme will be announced in summer 2026, with the competition launching at the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Winning documentaries air on C-SPAN's networks, giving student filmmakers national broadcast exposure. The 2026 grand prize winner, Erynna Holbrook from Troy Athens High School in Michigan, received $5,000 for her documentary "The Pursuit of Fair Pay," about the impact of name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies on college sports. Her film aired on C-SPAN on April 21, 2026.
What It Covers
StudentCam distributes $100,000 in cash prizes annually across approximately 150 winning entries, plus additional prizes for teacher advisers. The prize structure for the 2026 competition was:
Student Prizes
| Prize Level | Amount | Number Awarded | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize | $5,000 | 1 | Best overall entry, either Middle or High School |
| First Prize | $3,000 | 4 | 3 High School (1 per region) + 1 Middle School |
| Second Prize | $1,500 | 16 | 12 High School (4 per region) + 4 Middle School |
| Third Prize | $750 | 32 | 24 High School (8 per region) + 8 Middle School |
| Honorable Mention | $250 | 97 | Either category |
Teacher Adviser Prizes
| Prize Level | Amount |
|---|---|
| Grand Prize adviser | $750 |
| First Prize adviser | $500 |
| Second Prize adviser | $250 |
| Third Prize adviser | $125 |
Additional Prizes
- Fan Favorite: $500 additional, determined by online public voting among top prize-winning entries.
- Behind the Scenes: Up to 10 teams receive $100 each for sharing production photos on social media.
Prize money is split evenly among team members for group entries. C-SPAN recognizes a maximum of 3 students per entry.
Eligibility
Who Can Enter
- Students currently enrolled in middle school (grades 6-8) or high school (grades 9-12) in any US state, the District of Columbia, or US territories.
- International students in the equivalent of US grades 6-12, aged 18 or younger, may also participate.
- Students may be enrolled in public schools, private schools, or be home-schooled.
- Employees and officers of the National Cable Satellite Corporation and their immediate family members, and Trustees of the C-SPAN Education Foundation and their immediate family members, are not eligible.
Film Requirements
- Length: 5:00 to 6:00 minutes, measured excluding end credits. Films shorter than 5:00 or longer than 6:00 are disqualified in the first round of judging. End credits must begin after the 5:00 mark but may run beyond the 6:00 limit.
- Content: Must address the annual theme and include clips of C-SPAN video footage related to the chosen topic.
- Originality: Must be the original work of the student(s). Non-C-SPAN video sources, images, graphics, and background music must be credited.
- Viewpoints: Documentaries should explore multiple viewpoints, including those that may oppose the filmmaker's perspective. Interviewing subject experts is recommended.
- Citations: Entries must include either end credits or a separately submitted works-cited list. Any format is acceptable.
- Team size: Individual or teams of up to 3 students. A single entry created by more than 3 students is disqualified.
- One entry per student per year, whether participating individually or in a group.
Judging Structure
High school entries are judged regionally against peers in one of three regions (West, Central, East), based on the state of the student's school. US territories are assigned to regions: Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands to East; American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands to West. International high school entries are assigned to regions based on geography: Asia-Pacific to West, Europe and Africa to East, South and Central America to Central.
Middle school entries are judged nationally against all middle school peers.
How to Apply
Submission Process
- Create a 5-to-6-minute documentary addressing the annual theme.
- Upload the documentary to a video hosting platform (Google Drive, YouTube, Dropbox, or WeVideo).
- Complete the online StudentCam entry form at studentcam.org, including the video link.
- Students under 18 must have a Parental/Guardian Release Form signed by an adult.
- Submit before the deadline. The 2026 deadline was January 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST.
Technical Requirements
- Documentaries must include C-SPAN footage as source material.
- All non-C-SPAN video, images, graphics, and music must be credited.
- School staff and faculty may provide guidance and critiques but may not participate in conceiving or producing the video.
- A teacher adviser is not required, but if one participates, their name must be listed on the entry form for them to be eligible for the adviser cash prize.
There is no entry fee. The next StudentCam competition launches in August 2026.
Who Should Apply
StudentCam is designed for middle and high school students (grades 6-12) interested in documentary filmmaking and civic engagement. The competition does not require professional equipment or prior filmmaking experience. A smartphone, basic editing software, and a well-researched argument are sufficient to produce a competitive entry.
The competition is particularly accessible to students who lack formal film education programs at their schools. Because the focus is on content and argumentation rather than production polish, students from any background can compete. The requirement to include C-SPAN footage and explore multiple viewpoints makes this competition a fit for students interested in journalism, political science, or documentary storytelling rather than narrative filmmaking.
Students who want to build a filmmaking portfolio before applying to film school programs will find that a StudentCam prize is a concrete credential. The national broadcast exposure on C-SPAN is unusual for a middle or high school competition and provides a tangible credit for college applications or early career materials.
See Also
For documentary filmmaking techniques, see Documentary Filmmaking Guide. For audio loudness standards required in broadcast delivery, use the LUFS Calculator. For planning a short film production schedule, use the Production Schedule Calculator.
Scholarship and Education Resources
The Scholarship Handbook
A comprehensive guide to finding and winning scholarships, with strategies for application essays and interview preparation.
The Film School Handbook
A practical guide to choosing, applying to, and funding film school, covering undergraduate and graduate programs.
Student Filmmaking Gear
Browse B&H Photo's selection of affordable camera kits, audio recorders, and lighting for student productions.
Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Tools for Film earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. This support helps us keep our calculators and tools free.
